eushv8_W 8/20/08 11:58 AM Page 1727
Wounded Knee Massacre
World Wide Web
See Internet Revolution
Wounded Knee Massacre
Around 1889 a Paiute tribe holy man experienced a vision during a total
solar eclipse, during which the moon passes between the earth and the
sun, blocking the sun from view. The result of his vision was a religion
called the Ghost Dance. It included an actual dance in which dancers
might die for a moment to get a brief glimpse into the paradise that
awaited them. Part of the Ghost Dance involved the wearing of a spe-
cially made shirt that was believed to protect the wearer from enemy bul-
lets. All Sioux reservations were practicing this new religion. One Lakota,
Kicking Bear (c. 1852–1904), and his brother-in-law, Short Bull (c.
1845–1915), traveled to Nevada to learn about the Ghost Dance.
Kicking Bear then visited the great Sitting Bull (1831–1890) in October
1890 to tell him what he had learned. Sitting Bull was a highly respected
Lakota chief whose visions of the defeat of General George Armstrong
Custer (1839–1876) and his own death came true. Sitting Bull expressed
doubt that the dead would be brought back to life, but he had no objec-
tions to allowing his people to dance the Ghost Dance.
Indian agents, however, had already reported to the federal govern-
ment their fears about the strength and influence of the Ghost Dance
movement. Now their fears were intensified, as they believed Sitting Bull
would join the Ghost Dancers. To keep this from happening, forty-three
Lakota policemen were sent to remove Sitting Bull from his home at
Standing Rock, South Dakota. They entered his cabin on December 15
and woke the sleeping chief. He agreed to come with the police and
asked that his horse be saddled while he dressed. Meanwhile, a large
group of Ghost Dancers gathered outside the cabin, and when Sitting
Bull and the police stepped outside, one of the dancers shot Lieutenant
Henry Bull Head. Bull Head pulled his gun and shot back at the dancer
but accidentally shot Sitting Bull instead. Another policeman then killed
Sitting Bull with a shot to the head. Before the morning was over, six po-
lice and seven warriors were dead.
The Ghost Dance was officially banned on Lakota reservations, yet
the dancers continued with their rituals. Many of Sitting Bull’s tribe had
fled to find safety with another Lakota tribe led by chief Big Foot (c.
U•X•L Encyclopedia of U.S. History 1727
eushv8_W 8/20/08 11:58 AM Page 1728
Wounded Knee Massacre
1820–1890). Wanting to avoid further violence, Big Foot led his people
and the newcomers farther south toward the reservation at Pine Ridge,
South Dakota.
What Big Foot did not know is that officials had already ordered his
arrest. The great chief had become ill and was growing weaker with each
hour as pneumonia set in. He had no intentions of fighting and was fly-
ing the white flag (symbol of truce, or peace) when he had his people set
up camp for the night near Wounded Knee Creek on December 28,
1890. As they settled in to sleep, troops of the Seventh Cavalry sur-
rounded them on all sides.
Soldiers entered the camp the following morning and demanded the
Native Americans turn over all their weapons. One of the Native
American warriors, Black Coyote, was deaf; he did not understand what
was going on and was not willing to give up his weapon. A soldier tried
to disarm him and the firearm discharged. Chaos immediately set in, as
Native Americans ran for cover and soldiers began shooting them to try
to control the disorder. Big Foot was among the first killed, and his corpse
lay in the snow for three days before being tossed into a mass grave.
The massacre lasted less than one hour. Although accounts differ as
to the number of Native Americans killed, ranging from 150 to 400,
most agree on the figure of 300, the majority women and children.
Twenty-five soldiers were dead, another thirty-nine wounded.
Corpses of women and children were found scattered as far away as
three miles from camp. On New Year’s Day of 1891, soldiers dug a pit
and piled into it the bodies they could find. Relatives had already re-
moved other bodies. Some soldiers kept souvenirs of the massacre, items
such as Ghost Dance shirts they could sell later as “relics” from the Ghost
Dance movement.
Because of his actions at Wounded Knee, the man who ordered the
slaughter, Colonel James Forsyth (1834–1906), was removed from com-
mand. His superior officer was disgusted that Forsyth had approved of
the brutal killings of innocent women and children. It was also discov-
ered that many Lakota warriors were unarmed. Forsyth failed to see the
error of his ways and instead wrote a report praising his troops for their
courage in the face of “religious fanaticism.” Forsyth was later reinstated
to his position and even rose to the rank of major general. The govern-
ment further insulted the Native American community when it awarded
1728 U•X•L Encyclopedia of U.S. History
eushv8_W 8/20/08 11:58 AM Page 1729
Wright Brothers
three officers and fifteen soldiers with the Medal of Honor for their con-
duct at Wounded Knee.
Although fighting between the Native Americans and whites contin-
ued occasionally throughout January, the Wounded Knee Massacre is
generally considered the end of the Plains Indian Wars as well as the
end of the American frontier.
WPA
See Works Progress Administration
Wright Brothers
Wilbur Wright (1867–1948) and Orville Wright (1871–1912) were
brothers whose lives were entwined until death. Pioneers in aviation,
their flying machines and first successful flight in 1903 ensured their
place in the history books.
The Wright brothers were quite different, but their personalities bal-
anced each other. Both men were intelligent—Wilbur had an amazing
memory, while Orville was always coming up with new ideas and inven-
tions. The two brothers together accomplished more than either of them
likely could have as individuals. Where Wilbur used his analytical skills
to figure out technical problems during the invention of the airplane,
Orville’s positive outlook and enthusiasm kept the pair from losing hope.
Early years
Wilbur Wright was born on April 16, 1867, in Millville, Indiana. He ex-
celled in his school studies. In his senior year of high school, Wilbur and
his family moved to Dayton, Ohio. Wilbur did not graduate. He took
preparatory classes at a high school in Dayton with the plan of studying
at Yale and becoming a teacher.
In 1885 the young Wilbur sustained a serious injury during an ice
hockey game. He was left with digestive disorders and a heart condition
that would linger throughout his life. Wilbur became a withdrawn and
depressed man. He gave up his plans for Yale and isolated himself from
the world. He spent most of his time caring for his sick mother, who was
dying from tuberculosis, a common bacterial infection. He remained de-
voted to her until her death in 1889.
U•X•L Encyclopedia of U.S. History 1729